Pages

Sunday, February 27, 2011

STS-133 Discovery's Final Voyage

On February 24, 2011 the space shuttle Discovery launched into space for the last time. Over its lifespan, Discovery has accumulated the most frequent space flyer miles of any spacecraft in human history and will be retired upon its return.

In a too infrequent celebration of one of humanity's greatest achievements and displays of cooperation toward a mutual goal, STS-133 (Space Transportation System), 133rd space shuttle flight, successfully launched six crew members and payload into space.

Discovery's final mission is to carry six crew members and deliver its payload to and from the ISS (International Space Station).

Along with its precious human cargo, Discovery's payload also includes the first dexterous humanoid robot in space, Robonaut 2, aka R2.

R2 is still a prototype, which will remain on the ISS to be tested and upgraded. The goal is that it will assist with simple repetitive tasks and eventually perform tasks that are too difficult or dangerous for humans.

R2 preparing for its first space mission

R2's "head" contains 5 cameras and its torso houses its "brain". A backpack is used as the robot's power conversion system that allows it to plug into an energy source or carry batteries.

In the future, the plan is that R2 will have greater dexterity at manipulating EVA tools than a suited astronaut and that it will be used to aid its human colleagues during spacewalks.

It's kinda sad how these things have become "ho-hum." I remember all the hoopla that surrounded space launches, especially when we landed on the moon.But, I have to wonder about R2. How do you think it would do on "Jeopardy?"

The poster looks like a movie poster. Like the astronauts should be walking in slow-mo toward the camera. Which leads me to another thought. Do NASA scientists sit around and think up ways to make science fiction (like Star Wars and Star Trek) into science fact? Either that, or the NASA folks have a wicked sense of humor. R2? When will the second development of Robonaut 2 be produced? And will it be called Robonaut 2, Development 2?

I used to live in Cocoa Beach near the space center. I have been thinking about going back to watch the final shuttle launch but of course it is tricky as you never know if it will meet the launch window and if they will then commission new missions for political reasons.

As the sketchy news I mostly avoid didn't mention it, this is the first I knew of the robot. It will be interesting to see what it can and cannot do...just recently watched ALIEN and two of the sequels and one has to keep an eye on those androids...can you ever be sure?

How did space travel become ho-hum? Never mind, I know the answer. But that doesn't make it right. Even if politics extend the space program, won't the shuttles still need to be replaced? Or will they just tighten the bolts and hope for the best? And what are the three laws of robotics or am I the only one who doesn't know?

The question of what makes us human is one that science fiction frequently explores.

If our population growth continues to explode, than space is the only solution. Discovery was built to complete more flights than she had a chance to.

The three laws of robotics were proposed by the visionary Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific scifi writers, (see collection of short stories, "I, Robot"), needed to ensure that robots would behave: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.